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This finding overturns the long-standing view that neural stem cells exist only in the central nervous system, revealing a new, authentic source of cells for regenerative medicine. Initially identified in mice and now found across multiple tissues in the peripheral nervous system, pNSCs could pave the way for safer, more accessible therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
The research team is now working to isolate pNSCs from human tissues, with the goal of advancing precision medicine and strengthening Hong Kong’s position in biomedical innovation. While challenges remain, this discovery marks an exciting step toward new treatment strategies for neurological disorders.
Newly Published:
September 1, 2025
Dr. Mingze Gao, from Professor Yuanhua Huang’s team, together with Professor Bertie Göttgens and collaborators, has published their latest work in Nature Communications.
Their paper, “CLADES: a hybrid NeuralODE-Gillespie approach for unveiling clonal cell fate and differentiation dynamics”, presents CLADES—a NeuralODE-based computational framework that accurately estimates clone- and population-specific kinetics from both newly generated and public LARRY LT-scSeq datasets.
Oriental Daily News | Professor Pengtao Liu Discusses Cell-based Therapy Development and Challenges in Hong Kong
July 18, 2025
In a recent interview with Oriental Daily News, Professor Liu expressed optimism that the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation will help accelerate the approval of advanced therapies, boost local biomedical innovation, and support the development of cell-based therapies.
Newly Published:
April 29, 2025
Dr. Degong Ruan, Junior Principal Investigator together with Dr. Andy Chan, Honorary Research Associate at CTSCB, has recently published a significant protocol titled "Establishment of human expanded potential stem cell lines via preimplantation embryo cultivation and somatic cell reprogramming" in Nature Protocols.
Newly Published:
April 16, 2025
Professor Pengtao Liu, Managing Director, in collaboration with Professor Hans R. Schöler from the Max Planck Institute and Dr. Dong Han from the University of Hong Kong, has identified multipotent neural stem cells (pNSCs) outside the central nervous system. Their research, titled ”Multipotent neural stem cells originating from neuroepithelium exist outside the mouse central nervous system," has been published in Nature Cell Biology.
CTSCB achieves outstanding success at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva
April 14, 2025
CTSCB has been recognized for its groundbreaking research with two Silver Medals at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. These awards highlight the innovative application of EPSC technology in addressing significant medical challenges.
Apr 14 - Our innovative project, “Novel Placental-like Stem Cell Platform for Anti-flu Drug Discovery," led by Professor Pengtao Liu, was awarded a silver medal. This platform harnesses Expanded Potential Stem Cells (EPSCs) to generate placental-like stem cells, allowing researchers to study viral behaviours and develop new treatments. By utilizing a “Close to Human” stem cell model, this invention aims to accelerate the discovery of antiviral compounds to combat the ever-evolving influenza virus.
Additionally, we received another second silver medal for our pioneering project “A Stem Cell Platform for Personalized Treatment and Drug Discovery for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDs), led by Professors CS Lau and Philip Li.” This innovative initiative reengineers patients’ blood cells into powerful induced Expanded Potential Stem Cells (iEPSCs) to create personalized disease models. This approach enables real-time drug evaluations, ensuring that patients with PIDs receive the most effective therapies tailored to their needs.
Through these groundbreaking discoveries, CTSCB is committed to advancing regenerative medicine and drug discovery, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes on a global scale.
Photo shows our team (from left), Dr. Daisy Tan, Dr. April Nguyen, Dr, Xueyan Liu, Ms. Angel Lee
Photo shows Professor Stephanie Ma (Principal Investigator, CTSCB) visiting our booth
Newly Published:
February 6, 2025
Professor Ralf Jauch and his team recently published a paper in Stem Cell Reports titled "An acidic residue within the OCT4 dimerization interface of SOX17 is necessary and sufficient to overcome its pluripotency-inducing activity."
The impressive study was led by Sik Yin Ho, PhD graduate from HKU, and Dr. Haoqing Hu, Postdoctoral Fellow at CTSCB.
CTSCB and Greater Bay Area National Centre of Technology Innovation (International) Join Forces to Advance Stem Cell Research
January 16, 2025
The MoU has been established to foster a strategic partnership aimed at advancing stem cell research and technology innovation.
Both parties will focus on promoting research and development in stem cell biology, diagnostics, drug development, and therapeutic applications. We are committed to building an innovative ecosystem through industry forums and knowledge exchange activities.
The signing ceremony was officiated by Professor Fang Liu, Senior Scientific Director of CTSCB and Mr. Liu Renchen, Director of the Greater Bay Area National Center of Technology Innovation (International), along with other esteemed leaders in attendance.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards accelerating breakthroughs in stem cell research and supporting the innovation goals of the Greater Bay Area
Photo shows Professor Fang Liu (front row, right), Mr. Liu Renchen (front row, 3rd right), with other esteemed leaders
Photo shows Ms. Jessica Yu (Business Development Director, CTSCB), presented Expo, a spin-off from CTSCB
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